Srila Kavirâj Goswâmipâd had quoted the sign of anurâg as follows:-
“The ‘râg’ that appears to be novel at every moment and makes one’s beloved appear ever-new – is called ‘anurâg’. Anurâg creates unlimited thirst. This thirst gives rise to ever new varieties in one’s beloved although we may be seeing him daily.” – (U.N.)
Poet Vidyâpati has given an example of anurâg –
“janam avadhi ham, rup niharinu,
nayana na tirapita bhela,
lakh lakh jug, hiye huye rakhinu,
tabu hiya judana na gela.
vachana amiya – rasa, anukhan piyalu,
shruti – pate parasha na bheli,
kato madhu – yamini, rabhase goainu,
na bujhinu, kaichhan keli.”
Meaning – “I beheld His beauty since my birth; but still my eyes are not
janama abadhi ham rup neharinu,nayana na tirapita bhelo
satisfied. For millions of yugs have I clasped Him to my bosom, yet my desire is not quenched. How many sweet nights have I spent in celebrating the Festival of Love, still I fail to understand anything of it.”
Anurâg–filled bhajan is extremely sweet. Srila Kavirâj Goswâmipâd says, Lilâshuk’s bhajan is according to the Râgânugâ path. Hence, at first, he has explained the poet’s internal state. He says that, Sri Lilâshuk is present in his siddha–deha where Sri Krishna is performing His pastimes. In front of him, Rasik–Shekhar Sri Krishna, Who is the commencer of the Râs–dance, is present with Sri Râdhârâni, Who is the Chief danseuse and is full of supreme anurâg. They are surrounded by sakhis who are ever ready to serve Them. Sri Lilâshuk also considers himself one of the sakhis. This is the bhajan–process of Râgânugâ–bhakti. We have to consider ourselves as sakhis and perform bhajan under the instructions of the ‘nitya – siddha’1 sakhis. It is impossible to enter the pastimes of Sri Râdhâ–Krishna if one is not a sakhi.
Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita says –
“The pastimes of Sri Râdhâ and Sri Krishna are very confidential. The devotees who are in parental mood or in the mood of servitude cannot perceive these leelâs. Only the sakhis are allowed to enter these pastimes and they alone enhance the Divine sports. These sweet pastimes are not relishing without the sakhis. The sakhis bring about these pastimes and only they relish them. You cannot enter these pastimes without taking shelter of the sakhis, and only those who take the shelter of a sakhi are permitted to enter. Only such a devotee can achieve the sâdhya2 of serving the Divine Couple in the flower grove. There is no other way to achieve this goal.”
– (C.C. – Madhya.8.162-166)
(to be continued)